Chelsea boss Mourinho surprises Xavi with 'defensive' tactics

Barcelona legend Xavi admits he is ‘surprised’ by Jose Mourinho’s taste for defensive football at Chelsea.

The Spanish playmaker left Luis Enrique’s side on a free transfer last summer after 24 successful years at the Nou Camp.

Xavi, who now plies his trade for Qatari outfit Al Sadd, was coached by a young Mourinho during Louis van Gaal’s Barcelona reign when he was an assistant coach and claims the Portuguese tactician had a never different attitude to the game during that time.

While some have claimed that Mourinho was little more than a translator at Barcelona, Xavi is adamant that the Special One was an integral part of the Barcelona coaching staff and embraced their attacking mentality.

Speaking to ESPN, Xavi said: “[Mourinho] was excellent in his three years at Barca.

Anthony Chapman

Anthony is a journalism graduate who has previously worked as an online sports reporter for the Daily Express. He has a strong passion for European football and can also sometimes be found trying to keep up with a game of rugby.